Nathan Deal: ‘I could support drug tests for unemployment benefits’
I ran into Gov. Nathan Deal at a gathering of State Farm agents at the Capitol a few minutes ago.
They haven’t been dropped yet, but several bills about to raise the issue of whether those who receive unemployment benefits should be required to pass a drug test.
Tipped off by my friend Austin Rhodes in Augusta, I asked the governor whether he favored the idea. Deal answered with a nuanced “yes.”
Said Deal:
”It is something that I certainly would entertain. I think the problem that you have is making sure that they are administered fairly and you don’t have political overtones.”
The governor reminded me that he’d supported similar requirements on the federal level for welfare benefits, and added:
”I don’t think it’s ever been statutorily addressed with regard to unemployment, and there obviously would be some potential challenges if that’s the case.
“You obviously have to address who’s going to pay for it, and obviously you don’t want repeated testing to be done.”
Most people are required, before being hired, to undergo a drug test by their future employers. If that test could be adapted to apply to unemployment insurance as well, then the governor said the burden on the jobless wouldn’t be that great.
A recently passed Florida law tying unemployment benefits to drug-testing has been blocked by a federal judge. One legislator at the gathering said that has slowed down the effort to produce a finished bill.
- By Jim Galloway, Political Insider
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293 comments Add your comment
Jerome Horwitz
February 15th, 2012
2:08 pm
How about drug testing for the good folks under the Gold Dome? Fortunately we still have Fourth Amnendment in this country. However, a drug CONVICTION should result in a cessation of benefits!
If you are a strict supporter of the Constitution you have to take the good with the bad. I don’t like the idea of people spending these benefits on drugs or alcohol, but, whenever we weaken the rights of one we weaken the rights of all. Tough choice.
Frank Furter
February 15th, 2012
2:16 pm
I am for it!
http://www.notquitedevils.com
pj
February 15th, 2012
2:17 pm
Jobless benefits are for people who PAID UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE. Unless people who receive Social Security, etc., are going to be tested as well, this is completely inappropriate. and who is going to PAY for the drug testing???
Paul Cato
February 15th, 2012
2:21 pm
I am all for the drug testing but,will congress and people at the capital be required to as well,Who will pay for these test? they are not free.And just because people cant find a job doesnt mean there on drugs.
Real American
February 15th, 2012
2:21 pm
You first Gov.
hl
February 15th, 2012
2:21 pm
Shouldn’t we drug test all those who are subsidized by our state tax. Nathan Deal and his wife should be issued the plastic cups first. He can show by his fine example how it is done.
db
February 15th, 2012
2:22 pm
I think it is a good idea along with testing for welfare benefits as well. Why should the tax payer have to pick up the bill for someone not contributing and also performing illegal activities at the same time?
Ol' Timer
February 15th, 2012
2:23 pm
Didn’t one of the distinguished gentlemen from the Georgia State legislature who was pushing this policy recently get arrested for DWI in Buckhead?
This legislation is a red hering and will be a total waste of time, money and energy. It’s pandering plain and simple. And, I don’t think Georgia has the money to waste on what will turn out to be a bust!
Carole
February 15th, 2012
2:25 pm
hl
+++++++
I agree wholeheartedly. This whole concept is utter nonsense. There is NO evidence that people receiving benefits use drugs, yet once again Republicans want to find a fix for a problem that doesn’t exist. I’m sick of it! And from what I can tell, at least once a year during session a law maker is stopped for DUI. Can we have them pee in a cup everyday they are in session?
jkoolj
February 15th, 2012
2:25 pm
anything to put us in our place.this is racist southern boys at their best.
Good Job Jerome
February 15th, 2012
2:26 pm
You don’t get to just single out the unemployed for drug tests when you have no reason to test them other than the fact they are receiving government money and are jobless. There are many who receive government dollars: congressmen, military, bureaucracy, administrators, etc. I seem to remember a federal judge and local judge in north Georgia who could have used a drug test in the not too recent past. Test none, or test them all.
Florida has tried this and already wasted hundreds of thousands of dollars to reveal that the jobless test positive for drugs (~2%) at a lower rate than the general population (~9). Let’s learn from their mistakes, not repeat them.
CobbGOPer
February 15th, 2012
2:27 pm
@pj:
That was my question too, who’s going to pay for the testing? Because if they make the UI recipient pay for the testing, in order to receive UI benefits, that can’t possibly pass legal muster, can it? Maybe it can, but it sure doesn’t pass the fairness test. If I get tested by a potential employer, I’m not the one who has to pay for the test.
And if they expect the taxpayers to pick up the tab, then they are going to get a lot of angry phone calls, including one from me. Personally I’d like to know which lobbyists are representing drug testing companies down at the Gold Dome. They should be publicly identified and then shamed out of the state.
catlady
February 15th, 2012
2:27 pm
I’m for ALL public recepients having to take a drug test. That means even those who get tax relief through deductions of any kind–kids, mortgage interest, Medicare (yes, you pay SOME of what you get, if you live long enough, but the never worked spouses get payments too), Medicaid, Peachcare, AFDC, food stamps, subsidized housing, unemployment, federal employees (especially congressmen’s) pay and insurance. We could employ more people to conduct the tests–and we would give away MUCH MUCH less help if you have to pass a drug test to get the aid/deduction.
Pretty much every person in the US would be tested, because, when you come down to it, pretty much every person benefits from help from the government. As far as paying for it, it would be easily paid for, hundreds of times over, using the money we would save by not paying benefits to those who use drugs!
Look before I leap...
February 15th, 2012
2:29 pm
I am for it as long as every state, county and municipal employee and all elected officials are drug tested at the same frequency as those who are receiving benefits.
Sauce meet goose and gander.
missmollie
February 15th, 2012
2:29 pm
I support drug testing for unemployment benefits; also, “the good folks under the Gold Dome”…
now woulnd’t that creat a riot???
Katie
February 15th, 2012
2:29 pm
If they are using drugs, then they are not able, available, and actively seeking employment. Do you understand now?
Gram
February 15th, 2012
2:30 pm
I KNEW this would come down to racism. I’m white, I receive benefits, and I am MORE than happy to do a drug test to get my benefits. I’ll even pay for it. I think those receiving benefits should pay…IF it comes back dirty. A couple of dollars for a test isn’t going to break you. They do it at probation and parole offices…why not at welfare offices?
CobbGOPer
February 15th, 2012
2:30 pm
Because you know there’s some Jay Morgan clone down at the Gold Dome telling every legislator in sight that this is a good idea, and it’s almost certain that lobbyist is representing a drug-testing company.
clyde
February 15th, 2012
2:31 pm
Not for unemployment benefits,please.Not for Social Security,not for my 401K. Not for my IBEW pension.Not for my bank account,please,But if you want to talk to me about people on welfare being drug tested then I’ll listen.
I was periodically drug tested at work and I resented that,but it was necessary,I guess.It was a condition of employment.If I and others have to submit to drug testing in order to work,then welfare recipients shouldn’t kick about being tested as a qualification to receive benefits.
Carole
February 15th, 2012
2:32 pm
Catlady
As far as paying for it, it would be easily paid for, hundreds of times over, using the money we would save by not paying benefits to those who use drugs!
+++++
It could be paid for if there was any proof that there are so many people who would test positive they wouldn’t get the benefits. There is NO evidence that this would be the case. Therefore there would be NO savings. This is simply another smear tactic by members of a certain party following a set of marching orders from ALEC. It’s going on all over the country.
missmollie
February 15th, 2012
2:32 pm
I support drug testing for unemployment benefits and also for “the good folks under the Gold dome”.
Now wouldn’t that create a riot???….
Carole
February 15th, 2012
2:32 pm
CobbGOPper I would be right there with you on the phones, email, social network, etc.
rojer
February 15th, 2012
2:34 pm
Employers pay for UI benefits. Unbelieveably, the employees do not. That said, if youre unemployed and sitting around with nothing to do… drugs do seem like a decent way to make the day go faster.
Kappa101
February 15th, 2012
2:34 pm
Go ahead and get the testing started! If my taxes will be used for such test, I need the testing to start in Gold Dome as well. Let’s see how this works for them. And where the hell are all the Common Sense Taxpayer Groups now?
Piglet
February 15th, 2012
2:35 pm
I totally agree…not only for unemployment benefit but all assistance including food stamps and housing benefits!
Wes
February 15th, 2012
2:36 pm
Other than the cost, I see no justification why anyone would be against this. Many companies require drug tests. I have never started a job without first having to pass a drug test. As far as the cost, you could do random testing to limit the cost. May not be as good as testing everyone, but it’s something.
M
February 15th, 2012
2:38 pm
While we’re at it, let’s get the testing zealots in this thread screened for alcohol and drugs in order to receive their mortgage interest deduction at tax time.
Marge
February 15th, 2012
2:38 pm
I think drug tests should be mandatory for every person who gets ANY taxpayer money, and that includes govt. employees. I think THEY should get drug tested once per year.
Three Jack
February 15th, 2012
2:40 pm
Stupid is as stupid does…Deal has joined with his fellow GOPers in an ongoing effort to appease their mindless, robotic groupie followers. Add drug testing to a previously filed bill that would require unemployment recipients to perform 20 hours of community service every week and it becomes very obvious the crooks under the Gold Dome have no idea what it’s like to lose a job.
The GOP has failed to do what it was supposed to do…reduce the size and scope of government thereby making it more efficient and less costly to operate. Instead these hypocrites are adding more regulation, more cost and more burdens on Georgia citizens. Time for an alternative to the GOPers and dems hellbent on destroying this state and country!
Mr Dave
February 15th, 2012
2:41 pm
PJ I just started to receive soc sec benefits…I put in 50 yrs in the system…..I put in a lot of funds…Im a decorated 101st Abn Vet in Nam…I made a whopping 2100 in 1970 over there…Will you people stop making Soc Sec sound like a handout…I for one am tired of paying all our funds for people that never contributed!!!
Bobby
February 15th, 2012
2:42 pm
Once again the Party that wants less interference by the Government in people’s lives want more control over the poor and working class Americans. Perhaps we should first require all members of the Georgia Legislature to submit to drug tests before the start of each session, at their own personal expense just as they want the unemployed and welfare recipients to pay for their tests.
roge
February 15th, 2012
2:42 pm
All those who receive welfare and food stamps should be tested. I know firsthand people who receive these and are on drugs.
BJ
February 15th, 2012
2:42 pm
Are people really this crazy? You earn unemployment benefits by working on a job for a certain period of time. The amount received is based on your earnings unless you get the maximum benefit amount. This is not welfare therefore you should get whatever it is you qualify for without having to be drug tested. It is not anyones business what you spend your benefits on because they are your benefits. You have earned them by being employed. There is no reason to assume that people receiving unemployment benefits are on drugs. And really so what if they are? That still does not change the fact that you can only get unemployment benefits by being recently unemployed thru no fault of your own. If you get fired you typically do not qualify for unemployment benefits and especially if you are fired for doing drugs. I cannot believe this is an issue. This is really a waste of time
Independent voter
February 15th, 2012
2:42 pm
Nathan Deal you are acting just like the rest of coo coo republican. Why the republican are going after poor and middle class. The Government always in our business we should not have to take a drug test for check that belong whoever unemployed. Whe the Gov going to stay out of people lives.
Bobby
February 15th, 2012
2:43 pm
@roge: I also know many attorneys and doctors who use drugs. Drugs are not limited to a specific class of people.
jmb
February 15th, 2012
2:44 pm
This is a NO brainer. YES, YES & HELL YES!!! More importantly, are the ones draining our food stamp program. Do you know that a one single mother with 4 children draws over 1,000 a month? Did you also know that most of them sell over 1/2 of those for the cash? Through an aquaintance, I know of two of these women doing that right now. And do you really think the baby daddy is out of the picture? He’s the one selling them. And then you have our disability/medicaid program where the lazy people convince the doctors they’re crazy and going to kill themselves and get approved for benefits at age 35. They pay .50cents for their 120 pain pills or xanax every month and sell them for $5 each. That’s what they consider their income.
CobbGOPer
February 15th, 2012
2:45 pm
@Gram:
You do it at probation and parole offices because you committed a crime beforehand. Being laid-off/unemployed is not a crime… Yet.
Newt Rockney
February 15th, 2012
2:45 pm
Who is paying for the drug screening? . . . And I don’t want to hear this garbage about. . . “The test will pay for itself with the savings from what we would be distributing to drug users” . . STUFF . . . ! Drug users will only buy clean urine from people . . . Just as probationers/parolees do!
Independent voter
February 15th, 2012
2:45 pm
I think the state should pay for the drug test. Who can live off $320 per week then they taxes out of the unemployment benefits.
Cutty
February 15th, 2012
2:46 pm
Why stop at unemployment benefits and test ANYONE receiving any state benefit, tax subsidies and the like included. If you’re opposed to that stance, please explain why?
Three Jack
February 15th, 2012
2:46 pm
joe the unemployed salesman’s day (reality):
5am – wakeup to help feed the kid(s)
6am – shower (if water still on), get ready to chase a job
7am – say goodbye to his wife as she heads off to her job, drop baby at her mom’s then attend job seeker networking breakfast ($10)
9am – 2pm: attend state required charity work (everyday) reducing by 60% amount of available time to find gainful employment.
2pm – piss test, attend required d.o.l. class, interviews if invited
4pm – pickup kid, buy groceries, warm up leftovers
7pm – internet job hunt (if power still on)
joe the unemployed salesman’s day (perceived by gop legislators):
5am – tell ol’ lady to take care of the kid, go back to sleeping off hangover.
10am – fart, rollover and fire up the bong…wake and bake!, turn on regis.
noon – call domino’s, take nap after lunch
3pm – party time, hooked up with a bunch of other unemployeds while waiting in line to signup for extended benefits…bong hits for everybody!!
4pm – check mail, $330 unemployment check…party time….dinner at capital grille!
yea, right.
Keep doing this GOP
February 15th, 2012
2:47 pm
Employers pay for UI benefits. Unbelieveably, the employees do not.
Actually, thats not true.My former employer took money from me and the rest of his employees( over 350) to pay for the UI benefits. So the employee pays for the UI benefit.
They even listed it as a benefit on my annual pay chart. It was listed right under the life and health insurance benefits.
Wes
February 15th, 2012
2:47 pm
Doing drugs is ILLEGAL. I can’t understand how so many people want to protect those that are breaking the law.
Allen
February 15th, 2012
2:48 pm
First of all (to Catlady)–wouldn’t testing everyone run afoul of the 4th Amendment? The constitutionality of this testing is definitely questionable.
So–supposed this is actually done, people are denied benefits, have not money–THEN WHAT? Are they going to “magically disapear”? I don’t think so! These people (unless they are not citizens and are eligible for deportation–which is not an automatic) will still be around, will need food and money–so, are you ready for all these new beggars on the streets? I don’t think so. So unless, there is a “rehabilitation” element for an positive testing results, it would backfire on us–and “rehabilitation” would have a “cost” also, which many would not be willing to pay. So the bottom line–we have to “pay”–one way or another!
Frankie
February 15th, 2012
2:48 pm
It amazes me that all these folks KNOW first hand that people on unemployment or welfare are on drugs…
You must have been sitting right next to them ….puff…puff …pass..
Big Country
February 15th, 2012
2:49 pm
TEST EM!!!!! If they’re not doing anything wrong, then its a mute point!!!!!
Rick James
February 15th, 2012
2:50 pm
Dont stop there let’s also require testing when canidates file to run in elections.Let’s also look at their credit reports to gauge how responsible they are with their money before we allow them to handle ours.I’d be willing to bet that if you took a looked at the credit scores of politians accused of corruption over the past 10 years they would have all been very low.Introduce and pass that..
Jerome
February 15th, 2012
2:50 pm
I am unemployed and get benefits and by the time I get through paying bills, getting GAS and groceries, I barely have enough to buy a bottle of Tylenol. Another waste of taxpayer money.
curious
February 15th, 2012
2:51 pm
The unemployment rate will go to ZERO!
All of the previously unemployed will have a job testing everyone else.
Finally, a good jobs creation idea.
Time Out
February 15th, 2012
2:51 pm
I hate to be the one to point this out, but these drug tests have been proven to be unreliable. So, as I see it, the government might spend way more than they are saving by hiring attorneys to settle lawsuits brought about by inaccurate testing. I do have a better idea, though: maybe we should try to cut back on people trying to receive unemployment by offering them jobs. What do you say, Governor Deal? You wouldn’t have to worry about this at all if you would just bring some jobs back to Georgia!